Thai beach - long weekend?

[Beesknees]

Mr BK has never been to the beach in Thailand so we're planning a long weekend soon. I've only been to Koh Samui (but that was 20 years ago so I suppose it has changed). Can anyone recommend somewhere we can fly directly to? Seeking simple pleasures...a quiet beach for swimming, a comfy bed to sleep in and some good green curries.
Thank you

[slinky]

Phuket is probably the easiest to get to -- non-stop flight, I believe. We're going to Krabi over Easter but it has a plane change in BKK - not sure if there is a non-stop there or not. Check with Dino on Phuket -- she used to live there & might have a good recommendation.

[Sardonicus]

You can fly direct to Krabi and Phuket by Tiger, and to Koh Samui direct by BKK Air. All under 2 hours.

[Fat Bob]

Koh Samui is only possible with Bangkok Airways, and usually costs an arm and a leg. I went there a few years ago and didn't really enjoy: I always feel Phuket is more fun and less rip-off.

Phuket: Tiger, AirAsia, Silk Air and Jetstar all fly there direct. I've enjoyed weekends here no matter who I'm with. Great fun, I always want to go back.

Krabi/Phi Phi: Tiger flies direct. Supposedly not as in your face as Phuket: I'm presuming they mean Patong, not Phuket as a whole.

Pattaya: 1.5 hour cab ride from Bangkok Airport, nice beach but it is the seediest of the lot. Though have had fun there too.

[Sardonicus]

I've always heard Pattaya was polluted, but never actually been there. It's even more sleazy than Patpong.

Went to Samui last year, hadn't been in five years, in some ways it's the hipper sister to Phuket, but I go more often to Phuket because the beaches are better and there's more of them. The Thais on both islands are also different. Used to be those in Samui were less jaded, but last time we went I felt they spoke better English than on Phuket and were a little more easy going. The demographics in Phuket have changed over the last 15 years.

I don't remember the BKK Air flight being expensive though, but not $35 Tiger if you can get those prices prices.

[BoD]

I prefer the beaches on Samui , but it is changing fast. Went back to Chaweng after a few years gap and hardly recognized the place. That said there are other quieter beaches and even now Chaweng is not Patong. As FB mentioned the BAngkok Air fares tend to be high. You wIll be lucky to pay much less than $400

From Samui if you want a change of scenery you can always get a ferry to Koh Tao (more a diving place) or Koh Phangan (the home of the full moon party)

Wasn't a huge fan on Pattaya, but I know that Jedi loves the place and probably has a better view on the beaches

[nev]

I've been to Phuket and hated it, too touristy and crowded. I've been to Krabi and loved it. Laid-back, pretty as a picture (Railey Beach), and not too many tourists.

[Jedi]

I've been to Samui and loved it. Can't remember the name of the place we stayed at, but there's many nice places there. Pattaya does have some nice beaches, but they're not the touristy ones (which we don't usually go to).

[JJ]

The flight to Samui is outrageously pricey compared to the Tiger, Air Asia deals to Phuket, Krabi and elsewhere around the region. BKK airlines owners are making a mint, but as there is no other way to get there....

That said, Samui is fab if you keep away from Chaweng, Lamai etc.

There are some absolute gems of hotels etc in the SW and NE parts of the island. SW is really really quiet and beautiful. NE is more developed but very upmarket (Six Senses etc).

Personally I love the SW. The beaches are MUCH nicer than anywhere else. http://www.bansabaisunset.com/

If you do want to stay in a place with a bit more life then BoPhut, Lamai and Chaweng are the go. However, I dont rate the beaches in any of those locations (BoPhut is prolly the best of the 3). The island is pretty small tho and renting a car, or motorbike to get around is very cheap.

If you have a bit of dosh to throw around this is one of the best hotels/resorts on the island (but its a detox zone) http://www.kamalaya.com/

[JJ]

PS _ I went to Railey Beach waaaay back in '99 and I can second that as a great holiday/weekend destination. Even though it was a long time ago, friends who have been recently still rate it.

[Beesknees]

Thanks for all the ideas folks. Krabi would be my first choice but the times of flights aren't good for us. Samui would be my next - but you are right - it is very expensive to fly with BKK Air. So I think it will have to be Phuket.

Have heard that it can be quite noisy and commercialised so can anyone recommend a quiet area? Don't want noisy bars, discos or lots of traffic (not asking too much am I?) just a good beach, good little restaurants and a relaxing spot. Not too fussy about accommodation - I'm still a backpacker at heart so would be fine with a private room in a clean comfy place or any small hotel (not keen on big chains).

It's just a long weekend so don't want to spend too long travelling from airport to destination.

[sj23]

We've been to Khao Lak, near Phuket, a few times in the past couple of years. It's about an hour's drive from Phuket airport over the bridge, much quieter than the main beaches on Phuket but lovely beach and enough places to eat, a few shops etc. We stay at Ramada Khao Lak (they have great off season specials) but there seems to be loads of options there.

[BoD]

Also bear in mind BK, that a lot of the main resorts are an hour from Phuket airport anyway. So SJs suggestion won't take much longer to get to

[Sardonicus]

BK, I'm a long time veteran of Phuket, and there are spots for every taste. I prefer Kata, which is southwest and not as active as other places, and has a great beach with good waves sometimes. And some great restaurants.

Just north of that is Karon beach which also nice and not as crowded as Patong, which is to be avoided. Further north are Surin and Kamala beaches, which are also nice and more on the quiet side.

I just pulled the trigger on our March trip, which will be Phuket over Krabi for this one, but Krabi is next for sure.

[Duck]

Phuket has a place in my heart and I try to go each month...
I have to agree with Sardonicus, Kata has a lovely beach, and just the right amount of bars and restaurants without being too wild in the evenings, and just South of that is Kata Noi which is even quieter. Don't overlook the beaches further North though, Kamala beach may be just what you're looking for, but I prefer Surin beach...only half an hour from the airport, great basic accomodation (I have stayed at Benyada Lodge on numerous occasions only 5min walk from beach) sundowners at TwinPalms beachfront bar 'Catch' is a must as the sunsets are spectacular at Surin, Phuket!!